Origin: Spain. Utilization: Used as shepherd dog, hunting dog and assistant to the fisherman. Classification FCI: Group 8: Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs. Section 3: Water Dogs. The presence of this dog in the Iberian Peninsula is most ancient. His origin is the same like that of the old " Barbet ". His most dense population is in Andalusia where he is used as a shepherd dog, and where he has been known for centuries as the " Turkish dog ". His characteristics, most particularly the quality of his coat, are adapted to the variation of humidity and drought of the marshy regions, which qualifies him as a shepherd dog and as a helper to the hunters of waterfowl and fishermen in those regions.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Rustic dog, well proportioned (medium weight), dolichocephalic, of rather elongated harmonious shape and attractive appearance, of an athletic nature with well developed muscles owing to his regular exercise; the profile is rectilinear; his sight, hearing and scent are well developed

FACIAL REGION : Profile is rectilinear. Nose : Nostrils well defined. Nose is of the same colour or slightly darker than the darkest tone of the coat. Lips : Well fitting; labial corners well defined. Teeth : Well formed, white, with well developed canines. Eyes : Slightly oblique position, very expressive; of a hazel to chestnut colour, should harmonize with the colour of the coat. The conjunctiva is not apparent. Ears : Set at medium height, triangular and drooping.

NECK : Short, well muscled, without dewlap, well set into the shoulders.

HINDQUARTERS : Perfectly vertical with not too pronounced angulations and muscles capable of transmitting to the body a very energetic impulsion and the spring necessary for easy and elegant jumping. Upper thighs : Long and well muscled. Second thighs : Well developed. Hock joint : Well let down. Hock : Short, lean and perpendicular to the ground. Hind feet : As the forefeet.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : The preferred gait is the trot.

SKIN : Supple, fine and well adhering to the body. Can be pigmented brown or black, or be without pigment according to the colour of the coat. The same applies to the mucous membranes.

COATHAIR : Always curly and of a woolly texture. Curly when short, can form cords when long. Clipped subjects are admitted; the clipping, always complete and even, must never become an " aesthetic " grooming. The recommanded maximum length of the hair for shows is 12 cm (15 cm extending the curl) and the minimum is 3 cm to see the quality of the curl. The puppies always are born with curly hair.

COLOUR : " Solid : White, black and chestnut in their different shades. " Bicoloured : White and black or white and brown in their different shades. Tricoloured subjects, and black and tan as well as hazelnut and tan dogs are not admitted.

SIZE AND WEIGHT : Height at withers : males 44 to 50 cm, females 40 to 46 cm. 2 cm maximum deviation are admitted in both sexes whenever the subject maintains balance according to his height at withers.

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.